Apparatus for pedicure

ABSTRACT

A rotary foot treatment arrangement having a basin within which a plurality of brush elements are rotatable about a central column from which treating fluid is directed onto feet within the basin and subjected to action of the brushes while undergoing the fluid treatment as well.

United States Patent 1191 'Krummenacher May 14, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR PEDICURE 350,489 10/1886 James 128/56 3,359,572 12/1967 Blackwell [761 Inventor: Kmmmenacher, 3,612,052 10 1971 Krummenacher 4/182 Luzernerstrasse 36, Eblkon, Switzerland 1 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp [22] Sept' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hi, Sherman, Meroni, [21] Appl. No.: 287,334 Gross & Simpson [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 9, 1971 Switzerland 13282/71 [57] ABSTRACT [1.8. CI. A rotary foot treatment arrangement having a basin Int. within a plurality of brush elements are rotat- 1 7 Field of Search 128/65, 66, 1 25 B, able abouta central column from which treating fluid 182, 158 is directed onto feet within the basin and subjected to action of the brushes while undergoing the fluid treat- [56] References Cited as |1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.283,?56 11/1966 .Tur1ey 1. 128/66 21 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures v PATENTEIJHAY 141974 SHEET 1 [IF 7 mammm 14 an 1810.463

sum 2 or 7 r PATENTED MY 1 4 I974 SHEET 3 0F 7 PATENTEUHAY 14 I974 SHEET 6 OF 7 '1 APPARATUS FOR PEDICURE The invention as described and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,612,052 issued Oct. 12, 1971, relates to the art of pedicure, and more particularly concerns new and improved apparatus for foot treatment through a washing and drying cycle. This application is directed to imrotates in the same sense.

I have now found that may previously described apparatus is substantially improved by using a brush basin which comprises two separate parts comprising a bottom wall and an annular side wall and said two parts either being counter-rotatable to each other, or said side wall solely is rotatable while the bottom wall being firmly fastened, but has disposed thereon at least four rotary disks each provided with flexible elements.

. Such new brush basin results in desirable advantages, because the torque acting on the feet which is caused in the previous apparatus by the unidirectional rotation of the brush basin is now greatly decreased or eliminated. Moreover, the cleaning and massage of the feet is significantly enhanced.

Particularly preferred is the brush basin having a non-rotary bottom wall and rotary disks thereon, because the feet can be put more safely on said bottom wall rather than only be held on it. Thus, more convenience and comfort is provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brush basin is provided with a centrally emerging column in the form of a tube and carrying at the top a sprinkler head. The column serves to supply water and chemicals for the foot treatment. Such particular construction of the brush basin provides a central water supply and generation of an effective drizzle, and continuously rotates together with the bottom wall and/or the side wall and spreads all over the brush basin. Moreover, by means of thecentral column, the problem of the addition and dosage of chemicals for the foot treatment is easily solved. The column also is provided with flexible elements which further increase the efficacy of the brush basin. Only a single and very simple drive is adequate for the herein disclosed brush basin.

In a preferred embodiment of the brush basin, the flexible brush elements on the side wall are disposed on individual plates which are tiltable or swingable around a horizontal axle. As these tipping brush plates turn around together with the wall to which they are attached, they ensure during their course an automatic adaptation of the brush plates according to the anatomy of the feet. Thus, the sides, heels, toes and insteps of'the feet will simultaneously or subsequently come into contact with the flexible elements without need to move or displace the feet.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected concepts of the disclosure, and in which:

.brushes.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through apparatus according to the present invention having a brush basin with counter-rotatable bottom wall and side wall.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the brush basin showing the mounting of the tiltable brush plates on the side wall.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the brush basin showing the distribution of the brush-plates on the side wall.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the center of the bottom wall showing some details of the column.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line A--A of FIG. 4 showingsome details of the brush plates.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bottom wall showing the distribution of the brush plates on the bottom wall.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional elevational view of the drive mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the drive mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a schematic electro-pneumaticdiagram of a cyclical control arrangement for the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the apparatus having a brush basin with a rotary side wall and a non-rotary bottom wall provided with rotatable brush disks.

FIG. 11 is a sectional plan view of the brush basin of FIG. 10 showing the drive for all of the rotatable The apparatus shown in FIG. [comprises a watertight housing 1 forming a support and containing a driving motor and gear unit 21 (FIG. 7), a hot air blower 6, a boiler 7 for warm water supply and the control I means for operation (See FIG. 9). On the support housing is mounted a rotary brush basin 2 providing an open topped chamber. Said basin is provided with a flat rim 29 and the inside dimensions of the basin are'su'ch as to enable the reception of the feet with ample room to move about therein during treatment. For the sake of comfort-conformance for feet placed therein, the brush basinis disposed on a convenient oblique or slanting angle sloping downwardly forwardly.

The body of the brush basin 2 comprises two separate parts which are the side wall 3 and the bottom wall 4.'

These two parts are counter-rotatably mounted relative toeach other and within the basin is provided an arrangement of flexible elements 5, 5 5" in order to ensure a brushing action on the feet. The center of the bottom wall is provided with a column 8 extending up to the rim 29 of the brush basin. Because the column8 and the bottom wall 4 are joined together and preferably are all of a piece, they are corotatable when the brush basin2 is driven. I

The column 8 performs mainly four important func- I tions:

1. It is in the form of a tube and serves to supplycold and warm water into the brush basin. For this purpose, the tubeextends through the bottom wall and is rotatably connected by a suitable conduit to a water supply which may comprise hot water delivered from the boiler 7. A seal 9 is provided to prevent water from entering the support housing from around the base end of the tubular column 8. The top of the column 8 is provided with a sprinkler head or shower head in such a manner that the water is directed through orifices into the brush basin.

2. Use is made of the upper part of the column 8 for the addition of chemicals 13 such as washing, rinsing, disinfecting agents and the like. For this purpose, the sprinkler head is provided with a removable closure 11 which may be a spring-loaded plug, clasp, ball and the like. A screen plate 12 provides the bottom wall of the chemical chamber. The chemicals to be introduced and dissolved may be of any convenient shape such as tablets, pills, granules and the like. However, the chemiv cals may also be liquid or dissolved and be contained in a small bag'to be inserted into the chemical chamber. In such instance, the closure is provided with elements such as needles, spikes etc. which are adapted to pierce or cut the bag when the closure is applied. The chemical chamber is preferably made of transparent material to enable. observing depletion of the chemicals.

However, inanother embodiment of the sprinkler head,'the top cannot be opened and instead is provided with a valve for the introduction of the liquid or dissolved chemicals. The insertion is preferably achieved with a bottle having a closing fit with that valve.

3. The column further serves as a handle for the removal of the brush basin from its support.

4. The column also is provided withthe arrangement of flexible elements 5" acting especially on the inner sides of the feet, whereby the brush basin is rendered much more efficient.

FIG. 2 shows the disposition of the brushes 5 on side wall 16, 16. These brushes comprise plates 14 having projecting flexible bristles or lamellae for the brushes 5. The brush plates 14 are each generally made all of a-piece of flexible plastic material and they are tiltable around a horizontal axis or pivot 15 to which they are attached by plate hinges 17. Thus, brush plates 14 can move from about a normal vertical position, to an inclined or oblique position as is shown by arrows in FIG. 2. In order to enable such a tilting, swinging or tipping movement, the inner side wall 16' of the basin extending from, the pivots 15 downwardly and radially outwardly with respect to the center of the basin. When the brush basin rotates said brush'plat'es are forced by the toes and insteps into a position which is about horizontal or parallel to the toes and insteps, whereas the brush plates return by gravity to the original position which is about vertical or parallel to the sides and heels of the feet. Said tiltable brush plates 14 within the annular side wall 16 may be round, triangular, rectangular or. polygonal, e.g., hexangular or octangular. They contain appropriate holes to permit water flow through.

FIG. 3 shows the distribution of the brush plates 14 on the side wall 16.'As is apparent, the upper inner side wall 16 of the basin forms an octagon and each of the eight surfaces bears one of the tiltable brush plates 14.

FIG. 4 shows the disposition of the brush plates 14 on the bottom wall 4. These brush plates are attached to the bottom wall 4 and are spaced therefrom by ribs 18 as is shown with more detail in FIG. 5. The brush plates are provided with holes serving for the attachment of the plates and to ensure drainage. Said holes correspond with similar holes 20a in the bottom wall 4.

FIG. 5 shows-some details of the brush plates 14. The ribs 18 are transversely disposed (FIG. 6) to facilitate the flow of water. Water and dissolved disinfecting agent can reach and contact both sides of the plates 14.

The individual brush plates can easily be removed. Means are provided to this purpose comprising snapgrips 19 rising from the top face of the basin bottom 4 and received in the holes 20 in the plates securing the bottom and plates together, or, alternatively, holes in the basin bottom may receive snap grips on the plates 14 the plates for securing them together. Thus, fastening is achieved by simply snapping the brush plates in place. Joinder can also be effected by vacuum fixation when the plates 14 at the underside are provided with suction cups which adhere to the level surface of the bottom wall by merely pressing them onto said surface. At its periphery the brush basin is provided with at least one outlet for the drain water. Drainage from the pan is through a drain pipe 1a (FIG. 1) communicating with the lowest point of the pan.

FIG. 6 shows the distribution of the brush plates 14 on the bottom wall 4. There 'may be provided more or less than the six brush plates shown-and these may also be angular. Instead of several brush plates 14, it may be convenient to have one brush only which is a ring around the column 8 and covers the bottom wall.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention is provided with a hot air blower 6 (FIG. 1). The blower fan is mounted in the highest possible place of the support housing, so that the hot air outlet is above the highest point that the water may reach. The hot air entersthe brush basin from below and across the bottom wall 14 through the holes 20a therein and through the corresponding holes 20 in the brush plates 14.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the drive for the brush basin. In accordance with the invention, the brush basin comprises two separate parts. A very simple drive has been provided to effect counter-rotation of the annular side wall 3 and the bottom wall 4. A means 21 for driving a roller or pinion 22 is provided, said roller or pinion being located drivingly between two concentric rings 23, 24 which consequently rotates reversely to each other. The outer ring 23 is connected to the basin wall portion 26 and the inner ring 24 is joined with the bottom wall 4. Further idler rollers 25, 25, 25" are provided to ensure centering. The side wall as well as the bottom wall are detachedly connected to said rings. The joint is simply achieved by bayonet fitting 23a and 24a in known manner. The lower end 26 of the side wall 3'and the periphery 27 of the bottom wall 4 each form rings corresponding respectively to the coupling driving rings 23, 24.

FIG. 9 shows the electric diagram for a pneumatic control of the apparatus. The symbols have the following significances:

, BBoiler (7) B,Pneumatic Control DV-Charge-over Electrovalve E,Electromagnet E Electromagnet H Air Heater H -Water Heater M,Motor Drive M Program Switch S -Pneumatic Switch (four operating stages) S Level Switch Th Safety Thermostat Th Temperature Control Th;,Start Thermostat Upon actuating the pneumatic control B the pneumatic switch S is lifted to stage 1. The fan motor V and the air heater are switched on. Safety thermostat Th will switch off the air heater H in case of failure of the blower fan. In stage'2, the blower fan is switched off. When no water is in the boiler B, the levelswitch S actuates the electrovalve E and therefore water flows into the boiler until' a certain level is reached. When said level is reached, the level switch S is changed-over and water heater H: of the boiler is switched on. When the water temperature is about 36 C, the thermostat Th closes a normally open switch to operate the drive motor M of the rotary brush basin and also the pro gram switch M so that the electromagnets E, and E are excited each for about 6 seconds and cause opening of water valves. Consequently, warm and cold water flows through the orifices or sprinkler holes 10. The

brushes rotate. When the temperature has reached 45 the heater H is switched off by the thermostat Th and when the water temperature is 40 C it is switched on again. In stage 3 the program switch M is put out of operation and the electromagnet E is permamently excited, so that water flows through the boiler and warm water is sprinkled through the orifices into the brush basin. In stage 4 solely the electromagnet-E, is excited and cold water is released through the jets.

Thus, stage 2 enables an automatic washing, rinsing and drying cycle, whereas with stages 3 and 4 individual programs for foot treatment can becarried out'at convenience.

FIG. 10 shows an apparatus with rotatable side wall and non-rotatable bottom wall of the brush basin. The apparatus comprises a water-tight housing 1 containing the brush basin 2', the driving motor 21', the blower fan 6, the boiler and the control means for the operation similar to FIGS. 1 and 9. The brush basin is of two piece, namely the side wall 3' which is rotatably mounted and the bottom wall 4' which is not rotatably mounted, but firmly fastened. The bottom wall comprises four rotary disks 30. The central colum 8' also is rotatably mounted. Flexible elements or lamellae of brushes 55, 55', 55" are disposed on respectivelythe side wall, central column and the disks 30 forming rotary brushes; The brushes 55 and 55' on the side wall and thecolumn are preferably in the form of strips which can easily be. removed and inserted. The brushes on the disks 30 have the form of round plates and are also removable. The blower fan 6' is placed on the side of the brush basin in the housing 1 and the hot air enters through holes 33 in the brush basin. Outlets 34, 32 for drainage are provided at the lowest position of the basin 2 and the housing 1'. The central column 8 performs the same functions as described hereinbefore in connected with FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows the drive of the rotatable side wall 3, I

central column 8' and disks 30" by pinion 22' and belt 31. Rolls 225, 225', 225" are provided to ensure centering of the side wall 3' of the brush basin.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for pedicure comprising:

a generally upwardly opening basin having therein brush elements for action upon one or more feet placed therein; and

an upstanding columnar fluid dispensing device disposed within the basin to provide treating fluid for the feet located in the basin at either side of the device, including means on the top portion of said device for directing the treating fluid toward the feet.

brush elements are relatively oppositely rotatablymounted. v

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said top means on the columnar device includes a sprinkler head, and means for supplying water and foot treating chemicals from said head.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, said head being effective to dispense the fluid as a drizzle.

7. Apparatus for pedicure'comprising:

supporting means;

a foot-receiving basin structure supported by said supporting means and'including a side wall and a bottom wall;

brush means on said side wall and on said bottom wall-within the basin; and

means for rotating at least one of said walls relative "to the other.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein both of said walls are rotatable, and said means for driving drives one of said walls in one rotary direction and the other of said walls in the opposite rotary direction.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said botas well as spaced from said device, for action upon 1 the feet.

13. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: v

a generally upwardly opening basin having wherein a columnar fluid dispensing device to provide treating fluid for one or more feet placed'within the basin at either side of the device; and

brush elements within said basin foraction upon the feet and disposed on individual plates swingable about horizontal axes so as to be adaptable to the foot anatomy while they swing.

14. Apparatus for pedicure comprising:

a generally upwardly opening basin having therein brush elements for action upon one or more feet placed therein;

a columnar fluid dispensing device disposed within the basin to provide treating fluid for the feet 10- device, and means supporting at least one of said walls rotatably.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said bottom wall is rotatable relative to said side wall.

19(Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said side wall is rotatable relative to said bottom wall.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least some of the brush elements are carried by said side wall, and individual plates swingable about horizontal axes supporting the brush elements on the side wall so as to be adaptable to the foot anatomy while they swing.

21. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said columnar device, said bottom wall and said side wall carry said brush elements thereon. 

1. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having therein brush elements for action upon one or more feet placed therein; and an upstanding columnar fluid dispensing device disposed within the basin to provide treating fluid for the feet located in the basin at either side of the device, including means on the top portion of said device for directing the treating fluid toward the feet.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means supporting said columnar device rotatably.
 3. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having therein a columnar fluid dispensing device to provide treating fluid for one or more feet placed within the basin at either side of the device; and a plurality of individually rotating brushes within the basin for action upon the feet.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said brush elements are relatively oppositely rotatably mounted.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said top means on the columnar device includes a sprinkler head, and means for supplying water and foot treating chemicals from said head.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, said head being effective to dispense the fluid as a drizzle.
 7. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: supporting means; a foot-receiving basin structure supported by said supporting means and including a side wall and a bottom wall; brush means on said side wall and on said bottom wall within the basin; and means for rotating at least one of said walls relative to the other.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein both of said walls are rotatable, and said means for driving drives one of said walls in one rotary direction and the other of said walls in the opposite rotary direction.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said bottom wall is stationarily mounted, and means for rotatably driving the brush means on said bottom wall.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 7, including a columnar fluid dispensing device carried by said bottom wall.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, including brush means on said device and projecting into the basin.
 12. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having therein a columnar fluid dispensing device to provide treating fluid for one or more feet placed within the basin at either side of the device; and brush elemeNts disposed about said columnar device as well as spaced from said device, for action upon the feet.
 13. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having wherein a columnar fluid dispensing device to provide treating fluid for one or more feet placed within the basin at either side of the device; and brush elements within said basin for action upon the feet and disposed on individual plates swingable about horizontal axes so as to be adaptable to the foot anatomy while they swing.
 14. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having therein brush elements for action upon one or more feet placed therein; a columnar fluid dispensing device disposed within the basin to provide treating fluid for the feet located in the basin at either side of the device; and pneumatic control means for said device.
 15. Apparatus for pedicure comprising: a generally upwardly opening basin having therein brush elements for action upon one or more feet placed therein; a columnar fluid dispensing device disposed within the basin to provide treating fluid for the feet located in the basin at either side of the device; and said basin including a rotatable side wall and a non-rotatable bottom wall.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said brush elements include rotary brushes on said bottom wall.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 1, including bottom and side walls in said basin about said columnar device, and means supporting at least one of said walls rotatably.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said bottom wall is rotatable relative to said side wall.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said side wall is rotatable relative to said bottom wall.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least some of the brush elements are carried by said side wall, and individual plates swingable about horizontal axes supporting the brush elements on the side wall so as to be adaptable to the foot anatomy while they swing.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said columnar device, said bottom wall and said side wall carry said brush elements thereon. 